Can you share the story of how you started JWS interiors? When did you first discover your love for interiors and design?
Yes, it's a story! I originally was in the high tech PR field and even moved to San Francisco during the dot com boom. I took a huge risk and quit my PR job to gain experience in the design field. I had always loved interior design (as a child I drew rooms and changed my bedroom around a zillion times) and finally made the call to my boss to quit and move to my new adventure. I never thought I made the wrong decision because I knew I had the experience and skills behind me to go back to corporate communications if I had to. Essentially, I had a safety net. It was then that I decided to sign up for Interior Design 101 at the local college near my house. It was one of the hardest, yet most thrilling classes I’ve ever taken. We had 30-40 hours of homework every week and I loved every second of it. I knew after taking the class, I was in the right field.
I worked as a design assistant for a "brief moment" at a local showroom but ultimately decided to take another big risk within months–to start JWS Interiors from scratch. This seemed daunting at first, but I did some due diligence. After a few months of doing research on how to start an LLC, I applied for and paid for my business license which was less than $200. I was official!
Then the fun part began: telling everyone I was starting my own business from my home. It started with neighbors and friends (who had already encouraged me to pursue interior design). A neighbor told a friend of hers that she knew an interior decorator and passed along my name. She became my first client and I’ll never forget the space I was to design: “The Social Library” is what we called it. I was overwhelmed with excitement! Moving forward, I still had zero money for marketing or advertising and no website, so word-of-mouth was my only option. Finally, once friends of friends got word, I started to get small jobs here and there. I think my first year I had 3 clients and made less than $3,000. I knew I had to start somewhere, so this is how it worked for me.
Fast forward to today, if you had told me I'd be in business for 19 years, with my work featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, HGTV, Domino and more I would have said "no way." I’ve had great opportunities to design a marble accessories line, a rug line, and have a new partnership up my sleeve that will be announced in the coming months.
Proof is in the pudding that when you have the passion, drive, work ethic you can do anything you put your mind to. We've had projects all over the east coast from New York to Florida. I love what I do and am so thankful to have been my own boss for all these years and raise my daughters to teach them to be independent young women.
Where do you find inspiration in your daily life?
As I get older, I've found it REALLY is about the little things, as cliche as that sounds. I find inspiration from everything from my frothy cup of coffee in the morning, to nature (I spend a good amount of time on a boat in the summers), to even jewelry I wear.
I find inspiration from everything from my frothy cup of coffee in the morning, to nature, to even the jewelry I wear.
How do you balance timeless design with evolving trends?
I’ve always told clients–"buy what you love'–that’s what matters. I think keeping the design timeless with sprinkles here and there of current trends or something fun (that may or may not go out of style per se) works.
How does scent play a role in the overall design and atmosphere of a home?
Scent plays a big role in a home. It is very personal, just like perfume. Nostalgia is powerful–some people like to preserve the past with certain scents, while others may create new ones for their home–perhaps after a luxury trip to a far off land with the smell of plumeria. It can be very comforting and welcoming.
Nostalgia is powerful–some people like to preserve the past with certain scents, while others may create new ones for their home. It can be very comforting and welcoming.
Which Antica fragrances feel most aligned with your design style, and why?
I am loving the Prosecco–it is light and fresh. My designs tend to lean more minimal so
something that feels airy vibes well with me.
Do you have a favorite ritual for your own spaces that involve scent?
I have a few favorite candles I light while taking a bath. I also keep one next to my nightstand if I want a cozy evening in bed.
Fragrance is such a personal preference. How do you approach creating a space with fragrance, that feels both personal and elevated?
It can be as simple as creating a pretty vignette in a bathroom consisting of a beautiful marble tray with perfume, a candle, and a small vase of fresh flowers. The point is to make someone feel something in the moment.
Antica's fragrances are designed to inspire, uplift, and redefine luxury. How do you prioritize these elements in your designs?
Design is all about inspiration and luxury. Luxury doesn’t have to mean expensive–it just means something of significance to that individual person. Personal taste is what makes a home unique so my client’s culture, experiences, and preferences are always taken into account.
How do you think Antica products complement the look and feel of your designed interiors?
Antica packaging is beautiful so who wouldn’t want to place any of these items in their home? Simple, beautiful, yet modern-they definitely fit the bill with my design aesthetic.
